Nozzle tip with slit valve for fluid dispenser

ABSTRACT

An outlet valve assembly for fluid dispenser of a type having a pump which has a pump inlet coupled to a fluid reservoir and a pump outlet includes a pump tip having a first end adapted to be coupled to the pump outlet and a second end defining a conduit extending in a flow direction therebetween. A first annular protrusion extends radially inwardly within the conduit and a resiliently deformable valve member is received within the conduit. The valve member includes a valve head portion having one or more slits defining an orifice and a peripheral valve portion bounding the valve head portion, which is retained on the first annular protrusion. A vent-resisting member is received within the conduit and includes a perforated baffle adjacent to the upstream side of the valve head portion and an axially-extending sidewall which has a distal edge engaging the peripheral valve portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority as a continuation-in-part typeapplication under 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/220,018, filed Sep. 6, 2006, currently pending, which claimedpriority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. provisional application Ser.No. 60/608,239, filed Sep. 9, 2004. Both of the aforementionedapplications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to improved dispenser valves for a fluiddispenser and dispensing nozzle or pump tips employing the same. Thevalves and nozzle tip assembly in accordance with the presentdevelopment may advantageously be employed in connection with adispenser of a bag-in-a-box type and will be described herein primarilyby way of reference thereto. However, it will be recognized that thevalve and nozzle tip may also be used in connection with all manner offluid types and fluid dispensers. In a preferred embodiment, the presentdisclosure relates to an improved liquid pump tip assembly for fluiddispenser and, specifically, to a tip assembly which utilizes aninteriorly received resiliently flexible valve. In a further aspect,liquid dispensers incorporating the same are provided.

Liquid and semi-liquid dispensers are used in numerous applications andare used to dispense metered portions of soaps, creams, lotions, gels,and similar flowable materials. Such dispensers are commonly found inpublic restrooms, medical facilities, or the like and may be manuallyoperated or may be powered units which may operate automatically, e.g.,under preprogrammed control in response to sensory input.

Commonly, bag-in-box dispensing systems include a housing, such as awall-mounted housing, and a disposable or reusable dispensing system.The disposable dispensing system includes a disposable pump assemblycoupled to a flexible, collapsible bag or a semi rigid, unvented, bottlecontaining a supply of product to be dispensed. The reusable dispensingsystem includes a rigid or semi rigid refillable reservoir that isvented to the atmosphere and fitted with a pump as described herein.Although a wide variety of pump mechanisms have been developed, theygenerally include a resiliently flexible or deformable chamber having aninlet fluidically coupled to the bag or other container and a dispensingoutlet having a spring loaded valve.

The spring loaded valve is normally closed and includes a spring andball within the flow passageway, wherein the spring urges a ball intosealing engagement with the pump outlet. Commonly, the chamber is of atube-type having a resiliently collapsible pump tube with its first endcoupled to the bag or other container and the second end coupled to apump tip for accurately dispensing a quantity of fluid, e.g., into thehand of a user.

In the tube-type pumps, the pump tip includes a ball and spring checkvalve in which a ball is seated against the inlet of the tip by aspring. In operation, the tube is compressed and the fluid moves theball out of the seated position, compressing the spring, and therebyallowing the fluid to be dispensed to flow around the ball and throughthe tip. A one-way valve may be provided at the first tube end toprevent soap in the tube from reentering the bag or other container whenthe tube is compressed. Such dispensers are described in the presentapplicant's prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,286,732, 5,598,952, 5,501,372, and5,464,125, each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

Another type of pump is a so-called bubble, dome, or disc pump whereinthe resiliently flexible chamber is hemispherical or dome shaped, andmay be of the type described in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,316, whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In operation, a lever or other actuator on the housing is depressed tocollapse the deformable chamber to increase the pressure in the chamber.The increased pressure in the chamber displaces the ball and liquidpasses through the pump outlet, around the ball, and is expelled. Whenthe actuator is released, the chamber returns from the collapsed stateto its original volume, thereby decreasing the pressure within thechamber, thereby causing the ball to return to the seated position andto draw an additional charge of product from the bag or other containerinto the chamber.

A one-way check valve may also be provided at the dispensing pump inletto permit flow from the bag into the collapsible chamber, but to preventproduct in the chamber from flowing back into the bag or other containerwhen the actuator is depressed. For example, a ball may be held in closeproximity to the pump inlet via a perforated retainer. When the pressurein the chamber increases, the ball is seated against the pump inlet,thereby preventing flow of product from the chamber back into the bag.While the chamber returns to its original volume, the reduced pressureunseats the check ball and allows product to pass from the bag or othercontainer, through the pump inlet and around the ball through theperforated ball retainer. In the disposable dispensing system, the bagor non-vented semi-rigid container collapses upon itself, therebymaintaining constant pressure within the bag. In the reusable dispensingsystem, the rigid or semi rigid container is vented to maintain balancebetween internal and atmospheric pressures and, as such, does notcollapse during evacuation.

A common problem with the ball and spring dispenser valves is that theytend to clog and become unusable, particularly when liquid productcontaining particulate matter is used, or for highly viscous liquids.

In FIG. 29, there is shown a known dispenser tip incorporating aresiliently flexible cross-slit valve 1340 instead of the conventionalball and spring check valve. The dispenser tip includes a body 1334, atube coupling 1335, and an integrally formed, perforated internal baffle1354. The cross-slit valve 1340 is retained within an outlet end 1337 ofthe dispenser tip on the downstream side of the perforated baffle 1354.An external retainer ring 1339 is secured to the outlet end 1337 tosecure a peripheral portion 1344 of the valve 1340 within the tip outletend 1337 between the ring 1339 and an interior shoulder 1341. In oneembodiment, a snap fit engagement of the retainer ring 1339 within thetip outlet end 1337 was found by the present applicant to exhibitunacceptable levels of stress cracks and splitting. In a furtherembodiment, the snap fit engagement between the retainer ring 1339within the tip outlet end 1337 was replaced with an ultrasonic weld;however, this process adds expense and has shown other problemsincluding excessive weld flash.

Accordingly, a need exists for an effective pump tip assemblyincorporating a flexible, resilient valve with an internally appliedretainer ring that solves the above-referenced problems, is easy tomanufacture, and lowers production cost.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, an improved outlet valve assembly for fluid dispenser ofa type having a pump which has a pump inlet coupled to a fluid reservoirand a pump outlet is provided. The valve assembly includes a pump tiphaving a first end adapted to be coupled to the pump outlet and a secondend defining a conduit extending in a flow direction therebetween. Afirst annular protrusion extends radially inwardly within the conduitand a resiliently deformable valve member is received within theconduit. The valve member includes a valve head portion having one ormore slits defining an orifice and a peripheral valve portion boundingthe valve head portion, which is retained on the first annularprotrusion. A vent-resisting member is received within the conduit andincludes a perforated baffle adjacent to the upstream side of the valvehead portion and an axially-extending sidewall which has a distal edgeengaging the peripheral valve portion.

In a further aspect, a fluid dispenser employing the improved outletvalve assembly is provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take form in various components and arrangements ofcomponents, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. Thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like or analogouscomponents throughout the several views, are only for purposes ofillustrating preferred embodiments and are not to be construed aslimiting the invention.

FIG. 1 side cross-sectional view of a dispensing pump for a fluiddispenser incorporating a nozzle outlet assembly according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the valve member shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3-6 are cross-sectional views of nozzle outlet assembliesaccording to further exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are fragmentary cross-sectional views of a nozzle outletin accordance with still further exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 9-15 are cross-sectional views of some additional exemplary valvesaccording to the present invention.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are cross-sectional views of exemplary embodimentsemploying a vent-resisting baffle.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged perspective view of the vent-resisting baffleshown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an alternative baffle memberembodiment.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of a cross-slit valve similar to the valveappearing in FIG. 3.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative outlet nozzleassembly.

FIG. 22 is an isometric view, taken generally from above, of anexemplary embodiment nozzle tip having an internal vent-resisting memberfor retaining the valve within the nozzle tip.

FIG. 23 is an isometric view of the embodiment appearing in FIG. 22,taken generally from below.

FIGS. 24 and 25 are bottom and top views, respectively, of theembodiment appearing in FIG. 22.

FIG. 26 is a side cross-sectional view taken along the lines 26-26appearing in FIG. 25.

FIGS. 27 and 28 are isometric views, taken generally from below andabove, respectively, of the retaining member.

FIG. 29 illustrates a prior art nozzle tip having an external retainerring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, there appears an exemplary embodiment of a pumpassembly 10 incorporating an outlet valve assembly 12 according to thepresent invention. The pump assembly 10 includes a resiliently flexibledome or bubble 14 defining a reservoir or chamber 16 for holding acharge of product to be dispensed. Exemplary fluids to be dispensedinclude, without limitation, liquid soap, shampoo, body wash, hand creamsolutions, lotions or lotion soaps, gels, shaving cream, handsanitizers, or any other flowable liquid.

The chamber 16 includes an inlet 18 and an outlet 20. The inlet 18 ofthe chamber 16 is fluidically coupled to a source of product, preferablya flexible bag (not shown) containing the product to be dispensed via aninlet nipple 22. The preferred bag-in-box embodiment is a closed systemand venting is unnecessary, since pressure in the bag is maintained asthe bag collapses upon itself.

A one-way valve, such as a ball (not shown) held in close proximity tothe inlet 18 via a perforated retainer (not shown) may be provided toprevent fluid from passing from the chamber 16 back into the inletnozzle 18 during operation. The hemispherical bubble 14 is secured to acavity back wall 24 via a retaining ring 26. The chamber outlet 20 isfluidically coupled a pump outlet nipple 28 via a conduit 30 defining aflow passageway 32.

An outlet valve assembly 12 includes an outlet nozzle 34 having an axialbore or channel 36 therein and a counterbore 38, and which is coaxiallyaligned with the outlet nipple 28. A slit valve 40 is seated in thecounterbore 38, which defines a sleeve portion for receiving the outletnipple 28 and an internal stop or shoulder 39. The valve 40 includes avalve head or membrane portion 42 which is bounded by a peripheralsealing edge or flange 44. The peripheral edge 44 is compressed betweenthe end edge surface of the outlet nozzle 28 and the base of thecounterbore portion 38 of the outlet nozzle 12 to provide a sealingengagement and prevent fluid from flowing around the valve member 40.Although the valve assembly is shown in connection with a dome-typepump, it will be recognized that the nozzle assembly may be used otherpump types, such as tube-type pumps and others.

As best seen in FIG. 2, and with continued reference to FIG. 1, thevalve head portion 42 includes one or more slits 46 forming an orificeand defining flexible flaps 47. The membrane 42 is formed of aresiliently flexible material, such as flexible plastic, rubber,elastomers, silicone rubber, and the like. Exemplary resilient orflexible materials which may be used in making the valve member include,for example, polyurethane, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, neoprene,butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymers, ethylene-butadiene block copolymers,ethylene-propylene based copolymers including ethylene propylene dieneterpolymer (EPDM), natural rubber, polychloroprene rubber,polyisoprene-isobutylene copolymers, silicone rubber,styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers, styrene-butadiene copolymers,styrene-isoprene copolymers, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers,fluoroelastomers, polyolefins, and so forth, as well as blends thereof.This list is intended to be illustrative rather than limiting. Theresiliency of the valve head maintains the flaps 46 in the closedposition, thereby preventing fluid flow therethrough until the fluidpressure reaches some threshold value, i.e., when the dispenser actuatoris depressed, whereupon the flaps 46 separate and the product isexpelled through the valve orifice 46.

The outlet nipple 28 is coaxially or telescopically received within thecounterbore 38 of the outlet nozzle 34. The inner diameter of thecounterbore region 38 and the outer diameter of the outlet nipple 28 aresized to provide a friction or interference fit therebetween. The outletnipple 28 outer surface and the counterbore 38 inner surface mayoptionally include aligned and mating or complimentary surface features.For example, in the depicted embodiment, the outlet nipple 28 includesraised annular ribs or protrusions 48 which engage complimentary annularchannels or depressions 50 formed in the counterbore region 38. Thecomplimentary surface features 48 and 50 provide a snap fit between thenozzle outlet 34 and the nipple outlet 28 and ensure sufficientcompression of the peripheral edge 44 to prevent fluid from flowingtherearound during operation. Alternatively, the respective positions ofthe complimentary protrusions and depressions could be reversed. Othermethods for securing the pump outlet nipple 28 and the connector sleeveportion of the nozzle 34 include the use of an adhesive, cross-hatching,texturing, or other surface modification of the counterbore 38 innersurface and/or outlet 28 outer surface, providing complimentary helicalthreads for rotational engagement, and so forth.

The nozzle outlet 34 may additionally include one or more exteriorsurface features (not shown) such as projections, fins, particulargeometric shape, etc., which provides a keying function to ensure properinstallation of the pump within the dispenser and/or to enable the pumpassembly 10 to be keyed to fit a specific dispenser pump of like ormating configuration. The use of a separately attachable nozzle outlet34 allows a common pump assembly to be readily adapted to fit anydesired key configuration by installing an appropriately keyed nozzleoutlet.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown an alternative outlet nozzleassembly 112 including an outlet nozzle 134 defining an axial bore 136and an annular protrusion 138 forming an internal stop member whichextends radially into the bore 136. The pump outlet nipple 28 istelescopically received within the axial bore 136 of the outlet nozzle134. The inner diameter of the nozzle 136 and the outer diameter of theoutlet nipple 28 are sized to provide a friction or interference fit. Avalve member 140 includes a valve head portion 142 and peripheral edge144 as detailed above and the peripheral edge 144 is sealingly retainedbetween the end of the outlet nipple 28 and the annular ring 138. Anenlarged view of an alternative valve 140′ similar to the valve 140appears in FIG. 20.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the outlet nipple 28 outer surfaceand the outlet nozzle 134 inner surface may include optional aligned andmating surface features, e.g., raised annular ribs or protrusions 48which engage complimentary annular channels or depressions 50, asdescribed above.

The peripheral flange portion 144 of the valve member 140 as shown inFIG. 3 is defined on the inward facing surface thereof by an peripheralannular notch 141 formed on the inward facing surface of the valvemember 140 which is adapted to receive the distal end of the outletnipple 28. This permits sealing engagement of the edge 144 withoutdistortion of the valve head member. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, theannular notch 141 also serves to define a region 143 of reducedcross-sectional thickness with increased flexibility and/orarticulability, thereby reducing the pressure necessary to cause thevalve 140 to open.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a nozzle assembly 212 includinga nozzle outlet 134 having an inwardly extending retaining ridge 138 andwhich telescopically engages a pump outlet nipple 28. The nozzleassembly 212 additionally includes a valve 240. The valve 240 accordingto a further embodiment of the present invention includes a peripheralflange portion 244 bounding a valve head portion 242. The flange portion244 is sealingly retained between the outlet nipple 28 and the ridge138. The valve head portion 242 includes an inward or upstream facingsurface 245 and exterior or downstream facing surface 247 which isopposite the surface 245. The inwardly facing surface 245 is convex andthe exterior facing surface 247 is generally concave and cusped incross-sectional shape. That is, the interior surface 247 cross-sectionalshape 247 is defined by a series of curves or arcs defining regions ofreduced thickness 243 and cusps 249 defining regions of increasedthickness. The regions of reduced thickness 243 increase the flexibilityand/or articulability of the valve 240 and reduce the pressure necessaryto cause the valve 240 to open.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there appears a nozzle assembly 312 including anozzle outlet 134 having an inwardly extending retaining ridge 138 andwhich telescopically engages a pump outlet nipple 28. The nozzleassembly 312 additionally includes a valve 340. The valve 340 accordingto yet a further embodiment of the present invention includes aperipheral flange portion 344 bounding a valve head portion 342. Theflange portion 344 is sealingly retained between the outlet nipple 28and the ridge 138. The valve 340 includes a peripheral annular notch 341receiving the distal end of the pump outlet nipple 28. A second annularnotch or groove 351 is disposed on the valve head portion 342, radiallyinward from the peripheral notch 341. The notch 351 defines a region ofreduced valve head thickness, thereby increasing the flexibility and/orarticulability of the valve and reducing the pressure necessary to causethe valve to open and fluid to be expelled. The valve head portion 342also includes a first generally conical cavity 353 formed in the inwardfacing surface thereof and a second generally conical cavity 355 formedin the exterior facing surface of the valve head 342. The conicalcavities 353, 355 are axially aligned with the slits forming the valveorifice, with the apexes thereof being aligned and facing, whereby thethickness of the displaceable flaps is tapered toward the center of theorifice. This reduced thickness at the orifice reduces the pressurenecessary to cause the flaps to open and expel the fluid therethrough.The conical cavities described by way of reference to FIG. 3 andelsewhere herein may be replaced with other geometric configurations,such as frustoconical, pyramidical, frustopyramidical, and so forth.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there appears an outlet valve assembly 412including a nozzle outlet 134 having an inwardly extending retainingridge 138 and which telescopically engages a pump outlet nipple 28. Thenozzle assembly 412 additionally includes a valve 440. The valve 440according to still a further embodiment of the present inventionincludes a peripheral flange portion 444 bounding a valve head portion442. The flange portion 444 is sealingly retained between the outletnipple 28 and the ridge 138. The base surface 459 of the flange 444engages the ridge 138 and extends beyond the ridge 138 in the radiallyinward direction. The valve 440 includes a peripheral annular notch 441receiving the distal end of the pump outlet nipple 28. A second annularnotch or groove is disposed on the valve head portion 442 radiallyinward from the peripheral notch 441. The notch 451 defines a region ofreduced valve head thickness, thereby increasing the flexibility and/orarticulability of the valve, thereby reducing the pressure necessary tocause the valve to open. The valve head portion 442 also includes afirst generally conical cavity 453 formed in the inward facing surfacethereof and a second generally conical cavity 455 formed in the exteriorfacing surface of the valve head 442. The conical cavities 453, 455 areaxially aligned with the slits forming the valve orifice, with theapexes thereof being aligned and facing, whereby the thickness of thedisplaceable flaps is tapered toward the center of the orifice. Thisreduced thickness at the orifice reduces the pressure necessary to causethe flaps to open and expel the fluid therethrough.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a fragmentary view of an outletnozzle assembly 512, including a nozzle outlet 134 having an inwardlyextending retaining ridge 138 and which telescopically engages a pumpoutlet nipple 528. The nozzle assembly 512 additionally includes a valve540. The valve 540 according to another embodiment of the presentinvention includes a peripheral flange portion 544 bounding a valve headportion 542. The flange portion 544 is sealingly retained between theoutlet nipple 528 and the ridge 138. The peripheral flange portion 544is defined on the inward facing surface thereof by a peripheral annularnotch 541 which is adapted to receive the distal end of the outletnipple 528. The outlet nipple 528 includes a distal end 529, which istapered or beveled on its radially inward edge. The angle, theta, of thebevel is preferably in the range of about 5-60 degrees, and preferablyabout 25-45 degrees, relative to the axial or flow direction 52. Theannular notch 541 also serves to define a region 543 of reducedcross-sectional thickness with increased flexibility and/orarticulability, thereby reducing the pressure necessary to cause thevalve 540 to open during operation.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a fragmentary view of a nozzleassembly 612 including a nozzle outlet 134 having an inwardly extendingretaining ridge 138 and which telescopically engages a pump outletnipple 28. The nozzle assembly 612 additionally includes a valve 640.The valve 640 is substantially as shown and described above by way ofreference to the valve 340 shown in FIG. 5, except that the conicalcavities in the valve head orifice region are omitted. A peripheralflange portion 644 bounds a valve head portion 642. The flange portion644 is sealingly retained between the outlet nipple 28 and the ridge138. The valve 640 includes a peripheral annular notch 641 receiving thedistal end of the pump outlet nipple 28. A second annular notch orgroove 651 is disposed on the valve head radially inward from theperipheral notch 641. The notch 651 defines a region of reduced valvehead thickness, thereby increasing the flexibility and/or articulabilityof the valve and reducing the pressure necessary to cause the valve toopen and fluid to be expelled.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown a valve member 740 according toanother embodiment of the present invention. The valve 740 includes aperipheral flange portion 744 bounding a valve head portion 742. Thevalve 740 includes a peripheral annular notch 741 for receiving thedistal end of the pump outlet nipple 28 (see FIGS. 1-8). The notch 741further defines a region 743 of reduced valve head thickness, therebyincreasing the flexibility and/or articulability of the valve, andthereby reducing the pressure necessary to cause the valve to open. Thevalve head portion 742 also includes a generally conical cavity 755formed in an exterior facing surface 747 of the valve head 742. Theconical cavity 755 is axially aligned with the slits forming the valveorifice, with the apex in the depicted embodiment extending roughlyone-half of the cross sectional thickness of the valve head portion 742.In this manner, the thickness of the displaceable valve flaps is taperedtoward the center of the orifice and reduces the pressure necessary tocause the flaps to open and expel the fluid therethrough. The degree oftaper and/or degree to which the conical cavity extends through thecross-sectional thickness of the valve head portion may be varied inaccordance with the product to be dispensed.

Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown a valve member 840 according tostill another embodiment of the present invention. The valve 840includes a peripheral flange portion 844 bounding a valve head portion842. The valve 840 includes a peripheral annular notch 841 for receivingthe distal end of the pump outlet nipple 28 (see FIGS. 1-8). The notch841 further defines a region 843 of reduced valve head thickness,thereby increasing the flexibility and/or articulability of the valve,and thereby reducing the pressure necessary to cause the valve to open.The valve head portion 842 also includes a generally conical cavity 853formed in an interior-facing surface 845 of the valve head 842. Theconical cavity 853 is axially aligned with the slits forming the valveorifice, with the apex in the depicted embodiment extending roughlyone-half of the cross sectional thickness of the valve head portion 842.In this manner, the thickness of the displaceable valve flaps is taperedtoward the center of the orifice and reduces the pressure necessary tocause the flaps to open and expel the fluid therethrough. Again, thedegree of taper and/or degree to which the conical cavity extendsthrough the cross-sectional thickness of the valve head portion may bevaried in accordance with the product to be dispensed.

Referring now to FIG. 11, there is shown a valve 940 according to afurther embodiment of the present invention including a peripheralflange portion 944 bounding a valve head portion 942. The valve 940includes a peripheral annular notch 941 for receiving the distal end ofa pump outlet nipple 28 (see FIGS. 1-8) and defining a region 943 ofreduced valve head thickness, thereby increasing the flexibility and/orarticulability of the valve and reducing the pressure necessary to causethe valve to open. The valve head portion 942 also includes a firstgenerally conical cavity 953 formed in the inward facing surface 945thereof and a second generally conical cavity 955 formed in the exteriorfacing surface 947 thereof. The conical cavities 953, 955 are axiallyaligned with the slits forming the valve orifice, with the apexesthereof being aligned and facing, whereby the thickness of thedisplaceable flaps is tapered toward the center of the orifice. Thisreduced thickness at the orifice reduces the pressure necessary to causethe flaps to open and expel the fluid therethrough. FIG. 12 illustratesa valve 940′ essentially as described above by way of reference to thevalve 940 in FIG. 11, but wherein cavities 953′ and 955′ are ofdiffering taper and extend to a lesser degree through the valve head942′ in the axial direction.

Referring now to FIG. 13, there appears an outlet valve 1040 accordingto another embodiment of the present invention having a peripheralflange portion 1044 bounding a valve head portion 1042. The valve 440includes a peripheral annular notch 1041 receiving the distal end of thepump outlet nipple 28 (see FIGS. 1-8). A series of concentric annularnotches or grooves 1057 are formed on the inward facing surface 1045 ofthe valve head 1042. The annular channels 1057 are concentric with anaxial centerline 1052 of the valve 1040. Likewise, a series of annularnotches or grooves 1059 concentric with the centerline 1052 are formedon the outward facing surface 1047 of the valve head 1042. The notch1051, the channels 1057, and the channels 1059 provide regions ofreduced valve head thickness, thereby increasing the flexibility and/orarticulability of the valve, thereby reducing the pressure necessary tocause the valve to open. The valve head portion 1042 also includes afirst generally conical cavity 1053 formed in the interiorly facingsurface 1045. In the depicted embodiment, the generally conical cavity1053 is axially aligned with the slits forming the valve orifice andextends through the majority of the valve head cross-sectionalthickness. In this manner, the thickness of the displaceable flaps istapered toward the center of the orifice to reduce the pressurenecessary to cause the flaps to open. FIG. 14 illustrates a valve 1040′essentially as described above by way of reference to the valve 1040 inFIG. 13, but wherein cavity 1053′ is of differing taper and extends to alesser degree through the valve head 1042′ in the axial direction.

In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 13 and 14, the concentric annulargrooves are depicted on both the interior and exterior valve headsurfaces. In further embodiments, the annular grooves may be present oneither the exterior surface only. For example, in FIG. 15, a valve head1140 is shown having annular grooves 1159 formed on the exterior facingsurface only. In a further embodiment (not shown), a like valve head isprovided with annular grooves formed only on the interior facingsurface. Although the depicted embodiments illustrate concentricchannels having curved, e.g., semicircular cross-sectional shapes, itwill be recognized that other cross-sectional shapes are contemplated,such as V-shaped, rectangular, or other geometric cross-sectional shape.

The valve members of the present invention are preferably sufficientlyresistant to flow in the reverse direction so as to resist venting ofambient air into the pump when the reduced pressure is present in thechamber 16, i.e., after product has been dispensed and the actuator hasbeen released. Ambient air is potentially contaminated and, in somecases, may degrade the product to be dispensed. Referring now to FIG.16, an outlet valve assembly 134 includes a vent resistant member 54located adjacent to an interior facing surface of a valve member 140.The vent resistant member 54 includes a generally disc-shaped baffle 56having radially spaced-apart perforations 58 at its periphery. Duringoperation, product flows through the perforations 58 and through thevalve orifice. After the product is expelled and reduced pressure ispresent in the chamber 16, the baffle central portion 56 preventsopening of the valve flaps in the inward direction, thereby preventingingress of ambient air through the valve member. The perforated baffle54 may be integrally formed or comolded with the outlet nipple 28 or maybe separately formed and secured in place via an adhesive or otherfastening means.

Referring now to FIGS. 17 and 18, an outlet valve assembly 234incorporating an alternative vent-resistant member 154 is shown. Thevent-resisting member 154 is located adjacent to an interior facingsurface of a valve member 140 having a valve head portion 142 andperipheral sealing edge 144. The vent resistant member 154 includes agenerally disc-shaped baffle 156 having radially spaced-apartperforations 158 at its periphery, an axially extending annular sidewall160 and a peripheral flange 162. The peripheral flange 160 is retainedalong with the valve sealing edge 144 between the distal end of theoutlet nipple 28 and the annular protrusion 138.

Referring now to FIG. 19, there is shown an alternative vent-resistingmember 254 including transversely extending bars or baffles 256 definingperforations 258. The vent-resistant member 254 also includes an axiallyextending annular sidewall 260 and a peripheral retaining flange 262. Inoperation, the baffles 256 are adjacent to the inward facing surface ofthe valve member to prevent the valve flaps from opening inwardly,thereby preventing venting of ambient air following a dispensingoperation.

Referring now to FIG. 21, there appears an alternative outlet nozzleassembly including a male outlet nozzle 234 received within a pumpoutlet nipple 128 defining an axial bore 236. The pump outlet 128includes an annular protrusion 238 forming an internal stop member whichextends radially into the bore 236. The pump outlet nipple 128 coaxiallyreceives the outlet nozzle 234 within the axial bore 236 of the outletnipple 128. The inner diameter of the nipple 128 and the outer diameterof the outlet nozzle 234 are sized to provide a friction or interferencefit. In the depicted embodiment, a valve member 140 is sealinglyretained between the end edge surface of the outlet nozzle 234 and theannular ring 238.

The outlet nozzle 234 and the pump outlet 128 may be secured via afriction fit or any of the methods described above. In the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 21, the outlet nozzle 234 outer surface and the outletnipple 128 inner surface include optional aligned and mating surfacefeatures as detailed above, e.g., raised annular ribs or protrusions 148formed on the nozzle 234 outer surface which engage complimentaryannular channels or depressions 150 on the outlet nipple surface innersurface. Alternatively, the relative positions of the protrusions 148and channels 150 may be reversed. It will be recognized that theembodiment of FIG. 21 may be adapted to employ other valve and/orinternal stop configurations as described herein. Likewise, it will berecognized that the embodiment of FIG. 21 may be adapted to employ thevent-resistant members as detailed above, either by directly securingthe same to the interior surface of the pump outlet or by providing avent-resistant member having a retaining flange, e.g., as shown in FIGS.18 and 19, wherein the retaining flange is retained between the valveperipheral sealing ring and the internal stop member 238.

Referring now to FIGS. 22-28, there is shown a pump tip for a fluiddispenser, indicated generally as 1200. The pump tip 1200 is preferablyof a type for use with a tube-type pump dispenser although it will beappreciated that the pump tip 1200 shown may also be adapted for usewith other pump types, such as a dome pump of the type shown in FIG. 1.

The pump tip 1200 includes a nozzle 1234, and outwardly extending tabs1221 adapted to interface with a pump dispenser housing. It will berecognized that alternate tabs or other surface features may be providedwhich mate with complimentary or keyed features on the dispenser housingto accept lateral insertion of the pump tip while supporting andretaining the pump tip 1200 from downward movement.

An upper or inlet end 1235 of the pump tip 1200 is provided for coaxialand fluidic coupling with a pump tube (not shown). A narrowed diameterregion or inward flange 1223 at an outlet end 1225 of the pump tip 1200defines a shoulder 1227.

A resiliently flexible cross-slit valve 1240 includes a valve head ormembrane portion 1242 having one or more slits 1246 and is bounded by aperipheral sealing edge or flange 1244. The depicted valve 1240 may beof the type shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,213,236, 5,339,995,5,377,877, 5,409,144, 5,439,143, 5,839,614, 5,890,621, 5,927,566,5,944,234, 5,971,232, 6,112,951, 6,112,952, and 6,112,806. Each of theaforementioned patent documents is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety. Such valves are available from Liquid Molding Systems,Inc., of Midland, Mich. Alternatively, any of the aforementioned valvesshown and described above by way of reference to FIGS. 1-21 may beemployed.

The valve 1240 is preferably seated near the outlet end of the nozzle1234. Shortening the distance between the valve and the nozzle outletreduces the surface area of the nozzle inner surface that is downstreamof the valve. This reduced surface area for material collection, inturn, reduces the likelihood of material buildup, “jamming,” stalactiteformation, dripping, or deflected shots.

The peripheral edge 1244 of the valve 1240 is retained on the shoulder1227 by a vent-resistant member 1254 having a central, generallydisc-shaped baffle 1256 and a plurality of openings 1258 therearound. Anaxially extending annular sidewall 1260 extends downward (in theorientation shown in FIG. 26) therefrom. The peripheral valve edge 1244is retained between the shoulder 1227 and the axially-extending sidewall1260. Alternative vent-resisting baffle configures are also contemplatedand may be as shown in FIGS. 17-19. In still further embodiments, arigid retaining ring, e.g., wherein the central vent-resisting baffleportion 1256 is omitted.

In constructing the pump tip 1200, the valve 1240 and vent-resistantmember 1254 are inserted into the nozzle from the upper end 1235. Thevent-resisting member 1254 may be retained within the nozzle 1234 via afriction fit, or, more preferably via a snap fit engagement. In thedepicted preferred embodiment, the member 1254 is urged past an annularrib 1261 which is formed on the interior surface 1263 of the nozzle 1234and provides a snap fit retention of the member 1254. In the depictedembodiment, the rib 1261 engages the upper edge of the vent-resistingbaffle. Alternately, a snap fit engagement may be provided by means of acomplimentary peripheral groove or depression adapted to receive the rib1261.

In the depicted preferred embodiment, as can be seen in FIG. 26, thevalve peripheral edge 1244 has a generally tapered or dovetailedcross-sectional shape and the shoulder 1227 and downward facing surface1263 of the annular wall 1260 cooperate to define a complimentaryannular recess or channel 1265 for secure retention of the valveperipheral edge 1244. The rib 1261 may be positioned such that thevent-resistant member 1254 compresses the valve peripheral edge 1244 toprovide a sealing engagement therebetween to prevent fluid from flowingaround the valve member 1240.

The annular sidewalls 1260 may be slightly inwardly tapered tofacilitate axially sliding movement of the member 1254 past the rib 1261and into the locked position to assemble the unit. The baffle 1256 isadjacent to the inward facing surface of the valve member 1240 toprevent the valve flaps from opening inwardly, thereby preventingventing of ambient air following a dispensing operation.

The invention has been described with reference to the preferredembodiments. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon areading and understanding of the preceding detailed description. It isintended that the invention be construed as including these and othermodifications and alterations.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An outlet valve assembly for a fluiddispenser, the fluid dispenser having a pump which has a pump inletcoupled to a fluid reservoir and a pump outlet, said outlet valveassembly comprising: a pump tip having a first end and a second endopposite said first end and defining a conduit extending in a flowdirection therebetween, said first end adapted to be coupled to the pumpoutlet; a first annular protrusion extending radially inwardly withinsaid conduit; a resiliently deformable valve member received within saidconduit, said valve member including a valve head portion having one ormore slits defining an orifice and a peripheral valve portion boundingsaid valve head portion, said peripheral valve portion retained on saidfirst annular protrusion; said valve head portion having a first sideand a second side opposite the first side, said first side beingupstream of said second side in the flow direction; a vent-preventingmember received within said conduit and which does not extend into thepump outlet, said vent-preventing member including a perforated baffleadjacent said first side of said valve head portion and anaxially-extending sidewall, said axially-extending sidewall having adistal edge engaging said peripheral valve portion, the distal edge ofthe axially extending sidewall and the first annular protrusioncooperating to compress the peripheral valve portion; and wherein saidbaffle is positioned sufficiently close to said first side of said valvehead portion so as to resist inward opening of said orifice duringoperation to prevent inward venting of ambient air during a dispensingoperation, and further wherein the first side of said valve head portionis spaced apart from said baffle.
 2. The outlet valve assembly of claim1, further comprising: a second annular protrusion extending radiallyinwardly within said conduit, said second annular protrusion axiallyspaced from and cooperating with said first annular protrusion toprovide a snap fit retention of said vent-preventing member within saidconduit.
 3. The outlet valve assembly of claim 2, wherein at least aportion of said axially-extending sidewall is axially tapered inwardlyin the flow direction.
 4. The outlet valve assembly of claim 1, whereinat least a portion of said axially-extending sidewall is axially taperedinwardly in the flow direction.
 5. The outlet valve assembly of claim 1,wherein said first annular protrusion is adjacent said pump tip secondend.
 6. The outlet valve assembly of claim 1, wherein saidvent-preventing member frictionally engages an internal surface of saidconduit.
 7. The outlet valve assembly of claim 1, wherein said firstside of said valve head portion is generally convex.
 8. The outlet valveassembly of claim 1, wherein said valve member is formed of a materialselected from silicone rubber, neoprene, chloroprene rubber, andethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM).
 9. The outlet valve assemblyof claim 1, wherein said peripheral valve portion has a generallydovetailed cross-sectional shape.
 10. The outlet valve assembly of claim1, wherein said valve peripheral portion is clamped between said firstannular protrusion and said sidewall to provide a sealing interferencebetween said valve peripheral portion and said axially-extendingsidewall.
 11. A fluid dispenser comprising: a pump having a pump inletand a pump outlet; a fluid reservoir coupled to the pump inlet; and anoutlet valve assembly coupled to the pump outlet, said outlet valveassembly including: a pump tip having a first end and a second endopposite said first end and defining a conduit extending in a flowdirection therebetween, said first end adapted to be coupled to the pumpoutlet; a first annular protrusion extending radially inwardly withinsaid conduit; a resiliently deformable valve member received within saidconduit, said valve member including a valve head portion having one ormore slits defining an orifice and a peripheral valve portion boundingsaid valve head portion, said peripheral valve portion retained on saidfirst annular protrusion; said valve head portion having a first sideand a second side opposite the first side, said first side beingupstream of said second side in the flow direction; and avent-preventing member received within said conduit and which does notextend into the pump outlet, said vent-preventing member including aperforated baffle adjacent said first side of said valve head portionand an axially-extending sidewall, said axially-extending sidewallhaving a distal edge engaging said peripheral valve portion, the distaledge of the axially extending sidewall and the first annular protrusioncooperating to compress the peripheral valve portion; and wherein saidbaffle is positioned sufficiently close to said first side of said valvehead portion so as to resist inward opening of said orifice duringoperation to prevent inward venting of ambient air during a dispensingoperation, and further wherein the first side of said valve head portionis spaced apart from said baffle.
 12. The fluid dispenser of claim 11,wherein said fluid reservoir is selected from the group consisting of aflexible non-vented container, a semi-rigid non-vented container, arigid vented container, and a semi-rigid vented container.
 13. The fluiddispenser of claim 11, wherein said pump is selected from a tube pumpand a dome pump.
 14. The fluid dispenser of claim 11, wherein said pumpis a tube pump.
 15. The fluid dispenser of claim 11, further comprising:a housing for receiving said pump and fluid reservoir; and a pumpactuator on said housing.